Miwa Kyusetsu XIII (Kazuhiko) (十三代 三輪休雪), Japanese (b. 1951)

A Hagi Ware Guinomi Titled "Kin no Shizuku" (金のしずく)

Showa Era (1926-1989) or Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

A distinctive Hagi ware guinomi by Miwa Kyusetsu XIII, created under the artist's
former name Miwa Kazuhiko (三輪和彦) prior to his succession to the prestigious
family title in 2019. The compact vessel is covered in a luminous white glaze
characteristic of modern Hagi ware, contrasted by a striking sculptural accent of
gilded clay emerging organically from the side of the form. The title, Kin no Shizuku
("Golden Drop"), alludes to this dramatic golden element, which appears to flow
naturally from the vessel's surface.

The slightly flared cylindrical form is deceptively simple, allowing the contrast between
the soft milky glaze, warm Hagi clay body, and textured gold embellishment to
become the focal point. The piece exemplifies Miwa's innovative approach to Hagi
ceramics, combining the rich heritage of the Miwa kiln with a contemporary sculptural
sensibility. The tactile surface, subtle asymmetry, and interplay of texture and colour
reflect the artist's lifelong exploration of ceramic form beyond conventional functional
boundaries.

Equally suited for the enjoyment of sake or as a small sculptural object, this guinomi
demonstrates the creative vision that established Miwa as one of the most influential
figures in contemporary Japanese ceramics.

The work is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) and
protective cloth.

Dimensions

6.9cm(h) x 7.8cm(w) x 7.3cm(d)

Footnote

Miwa Kyusetsu XIII (十三代 三輪休雪, born 1951 as Miwa Kazuhiko) was
born in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, as the third son of the 11th Generation Miwa
Kyusetsu (later Miwa Jusetsu). He studied in the United States from 1975 before
returning to Japan in 1981 to begin working at the historic Miwa kiln. Founded during

the Kanbun era (1661–1673) of the Edo period, the Miwa kiln is one of the most
distinguished Hagi ware kilns, serving alongside the Saka Koraizaemon kiln as an
official kiln of the Hagi domain. Renowned for his innovative and sculptural approach
to ceramics, Miwa exhibited widely in major museum exhibitions, including One
Hundred Years of Modern Ceramics at the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, and
received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2007. In 2019, he succeeded to the
prestigious family title as the 13th Generation Miwa Kyusetsu, continuing one of the
most important lineages in Japanese ceramic history.